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| LIVE: Prime minister's questions | LIVE: Prime minister's questions |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Watch PM's questions followed by tributes to Speaker Martin | Watch PM's questions followed by tributes to Speaker Martin |
| By Emma Griffiths | By Emma Griffiths |
| 1220 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg asks why the chancellor doesn't want to fundamentally change the way the UK regulates the banks - Mr Brown says they are making fundamental changes. | |
| 1218 SDLP MP Eddie McGrady continues the Speaker tributes before asking a question about the devolution of policing and justice. Mr Brown says he hopes it will be completed soon | |
| I think the current government should accept that cuts have to be made and stop treating the electorate as mindless numpties! We have a huge debt that needs addressing!Scott Speight, Stratford-upon-avon | |
| 1218 Much pointing from the PM who gets a big cheer from Labour MPs when he sits down. | |
| 1217 Mr Brown is hitting the piece of paper in front of him with his finger as he drums home his "10% cuts under the Tories" message. Mr Cameron says character and policy come together "in this vital question" of telling the truth about public spending. He says Mr Brown has drawn his "precious dividing line" on cuts between reality and himself | |
| 1215 Mr Brown says the Tories are descending back into a personality row, rather than tackling policy. The Conservatives have to "face up to their responsibility", he says - everyone else is injecting more money into their countries Mr Brown says. | |
| Chelicera666 tweets:watching it... dont know how much praise the speaker should get really.. hopefully none Read Chelicera666's tweets. | |
| 1214 In a dig at the PM's leadership troubles Mr Cameron says "they shout for half an hour on a Wednesday and spend the rest of the week trying to get rid of him". He says if Mr Brown cannot be "straight" with people he is "not worthy" to be the PM. Lots of shouts from the Tory benches. Mr Martin calls order - Mr Cameron has apparently used the word "you" which is a no-no in the Commons chamber. | |
| 1212 Cheers from Labour MPs as Mr Brown says Labour is the party of the many compared to the Tories party of the few. Mr Cameron says the PM is "sinking and sinking" and says he needs to stand back and ask "why he is so distrusted". He says it's not about the recession adding "there's a recession all over Europe" - lots of laughs and shouts from the Labour benches as Mr Martin tries to restore order. The PM is always saying the economic downturn is affecting the whole world while Labour MPs obviously believe Mr Cameron likes to pin the the blame on Mr Brown. | |
| This is the best I've seen Gordon Brown perform in a while. Actually seems to be talking sense.David Cooper, Manchester | |
| 1211 Mr Cameron says the financial analysts are on his side. He urges the PM to "give a straight answer and be straight with the British people". Mr Brown says he is the only one detailing the figures, the Tories aren't giving any. He goes on to list figures he says show rises in expenditure even with inflation is taken into account. | |
| 1209 Mr Brown is getting a lot of support from the Labour benches for his public spending attacks - this is a traditional campaigning line for the party. The PM says "current expenditure" will continue to rise in "cash and real terms" while the Tories plan to cut inheritance tax "for the few and not the many" - to cheers from Labour MPs. | |
| Why are all the MPs praising the Speaker when they were all stabbing him in the back.Graham, Bushey, Herts | |
| 1208 Mr Brown says his Tory opposite number "better admit" he wants to cut expenditure by "10%". Mr Cameron says it sounds "more and more desperate" and whichever way you look at the government's figures, they are planning cuts. This could go on for some time. Shaun Woodward must be heckling from the Labour benches as Mr Cameron says he was "pretty useless when he worked for us and he's pretty useless now". | |
| 1207 Mr Cameron presses the PM on his own spending plans - asking him to admit they are a "real terms cut". Mr Brown fires back his accusation that the Tories plan 10% cuts. Praise for Mr Martin seems a long time ago now. | 1207 Mr Cameron presses the PM on his own spending plans - asking him to admit they are a "real terms cut". Mr Brown fires back his accusation that the Tories plan 10% cuts. Praise for Mr Martin seems a long time ago now. |
| 1206 Public spending is back on the agenda - lots of shouts from Labour MPs. Mr Brown says he is investing to get out of the recession while the Tories would cut and make it last longer. Mr Cameron says he is dodging the question and says Peter Mandelson is "allowing him to go on with the job" - the Business Secretary was promoted in the recent reshuffle and is now said to be effectively deputy prime minister. | 1206 Public spending is back on the agenda - lots of shouts from Labour MPs. Mr Brown says he is investing to get out of the recession while the Tories would cut and make it last longer. Mr Cameron says he is dodging the question and says Peter Mandelson is "allowing him to go on with the job" - the Business Secretary was promoted in the recent reshuffle and is now said to be effectively deputy prime minister. |
| 1204 Tory leader David Cameron says "welcome to prime minister's planted questions" - to some shouts from the other side. He has a dig at the PM's description of him as "Mr 10%" - he says Labour MPs thought Mr Brown was talking about "his own opinion polls ratings" - Tory MPs love that one | 1204 Tory leader David Cameron says "welcome to prime minister's planted questions" - to some shouts from the other side. He has a dig at the PM's description of him as "Mr 10%" - he says Labour MPs thought Mr Brown was talking about "his own opinion polls ratings" - Tory MPs love that one |
| 1203 Sure enough Labour MP Alan Whithead has started the praise for the Speaker, before asking a question about green energy and a quick dig at the Tories over public spending. Cue another reference to Andrew Lansley from the PM. | 1203 Sure enough Labour MP Alan Whithead has started the praise for the Speaker, before asking a question about green energy and a quick dig at the Tories over public spending. Cue another reference to Andrew Lansley from the PM. |
| 1202 The Commons has filled up, Gordon Brown is on his feet. He pays tribute to the Speaker saying all MPs will have the chance to recognise his "great contribution" later. | 1202 The Commons has filled up, Gordon Brown is on his feet. He pays tribute to the Speaker saying all MPs will have the chance to recognise his "great contribution" later. |
| 1200 Nick Robinson says a lot of Tories "absolutely despise" John Bercow, the bookmaker's favourite for Speaker - and a Tory MP. They'd rather vote for Labour's Margaret Beckett, he says. Michael Gove disagrees - he says John Bercow is a friend and a good Parliamentarian | 1200 Nick Robinson says a lot of Tories "absolutely despise" John Bercow, the bookmaker's favourite for Speaker - and a Tory MP. They'd rather vote for Labour's Margaret Beckett, he says. Michael Gove disagrees - he says John Bercow is a friend and a good Parliamentarian |
| 1159 We're getting nearer the main event now. BBC political editor Nick Robinson is in the Daily Politics studio. Apparently at wannabe Speaker hustings held in the House of Commons earlier there were more candidates and journalists than there were MPs, at first anyway - although it filled up a little later. | 1159 We're getting nearer the main event now. BBC political editor Nick Robinson is in the Daily Politics studio. Apparently at wannabe Speaker hustings held in the House of Commons earlier there were more candidates and journalists than there were MPs, at first anyway - although it filled up a little later. |
| 1157 Unison boss Dave Prentis says whichever party is in power there will be cuts. Slightly bizarre moment when an FBI sign comes up on the screen and interrupts the interview. Are they bidding to run the ID cards project?, Mr Gove asks. | 1157 Unison boss Dave Prentis says whichever party is in power there will be cuts. Slightly bizarre moment when an FBI sign comes up on the screen and interrupts the interview. Are they bidding to run the ID cards project?, Mr Gove asks. |
| 1156 The Tories will try to get "value for money" as spending will be tight, he says. Will he be looking at a 10% cut in the education budget - not necessarily Mr Gove - the shadow education secretary - says. He says the party doesn't know exactly what finances will be inherited, should they win. | 1156 The Tories will try to get "value for money" as spending will be tight, he says. Will he be looking at a 10% cut in the education budget - not necessarily Mr Gove - the shadow education secretary - says. He says the party doesn't know exactly what finances will be inherited, should they win. |
| 1155 Mr Gove says the Tories have looked "across the board" at where spending restraints might come in. He says Labour can't give any guarantees either. | 1155 Mr Gove says the Tories have looked "across the board" at where spending restraints might come in. He says Labour can't give any guarantees either. |
| 1154 Mr Bradshaw says he would be "surprised" if health spending was cut - this is the issue that put shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley at the heart of last week's PMQs spending row. Mr Bradshaw says "everybody knows" Labour will spend more on public services than the Tories. | 1154 Mr Bradshaw says he would be "surprised" if health spending was cut - this is the issue that put shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley at the heart of last week's PMQs spending row. Mr Bradshaw says "everybody knows" Labour will spend more on public services than the Tories. |
| 1153 Across the board, public spending is projected to fall in the Budget Red Book, he says - but we don't know what will happen in the economy yet, Mr Bradshaw adds. | 1153 Across the board, public spending is projected to fall in the Budget Red Book, he says - but we don't know what will happen in the economy yet, Mr Bradshaw adds. |
| 1151 Ben Bradshaw, asked about public spending, says the government cannot say now what each department will get in the future but the "basic principle" for Labour was to invest in public services - there has been a row over who is going to cut what all week since the last PMQs. | 1151 Ben Bradshaw, asked about public spending, says the government cannot say now what each department will get in the future but the "basic principle" for Labour was to invest in public services - there has been a row over who is going to cut what all week since the last PMQs. |
| 1148 Expenses chat over and the smiles are back on the faces of Mr Bradshaw and Mr Gove who, I notice, are wearing appropriately coloured ties - Mr Bradshaw in red and Mr Gove in blue. | 1148 Expenses chat over and the smiles are back on the faces of Mr Bradshaw and Mr Gove who, I notice, are wearing appropriately coloured ties - Mr Bradshaw in red and Mr Gove in blue. |
| 1147 It's getting a little tense in the Daily Politics studio. All MPs' expenses are due to be published tomorrow - the Telegraph has already published quite a few of them. Are MPs expecting a sleepless night tonight? Ben Bradshaw says he doesn't know what will come up but it will be good to see an end to "trial by Telegraph". | 1147 It's getting a little tense in the Daily Politics studio. All MPs' expenses are due to be published tomorrow - the Telegraph has already published quite a few of them. Are MPs expecting a sleepless night tonight? Ben Bradshaw says he doesn't know what will come up but it will be good to see an end to "trial by Telegraph". |
| 1146 Has Labour MP Jim Devine been hung out to dry? He's been barred from standing for the party at the next election and says he feels he has been let down. Mr Bradshaw tells Daily Politics he hasn't been and says he's still waiting for anyone to be sacked from the Tory frontbench over expenses. Michael Gove says a proper scrutiny panel is looking at claims made and says he put his own case to the voters by holding a public meeting on the issue | 1146 Has Labour MP Jim Devine been hung out to dry? He's been barred from standing for the party at the next election and says he feels he has been let down. Mr Bradshaw tells Daily Politics he hasn't been and says he's still waiting for anyone to be sacked from the Tory frontbench over expenses. Michael Gove says a proper scrutiny panel is looking at claims made and says he put his own case to the voters by holding a public meeting on the issue |
| 1145 Ben Bradshaw again says the Tories are guilty of "arrogance" after, he says, suggesting three times they will win the next election. Tory leader David Cameron has been under fire over his joke German accents to mock ID cards - Michael Gove says you have to have a sense of humour about these things. | 1145 Ben Bradshaw again says the Tories are guilty of "arrogance" after, he says, suggesting three times they will win the next election. Tory leader David Cameron has been under fire over his joke German accents to mock ID cards - Michael Gove says you have to have a sense of humour about these things. |
| 1143 Ben Bradshaw on Daily Politics denies suggestions the government, after 12 years in power, is "slowing down". He's just moved departments to Culture, Media and Sport - to which he was promoted as Secretary of State in the reshuffle. | 1143 Ben Bradshaw on Daily Politics denies suggestions the government, after 12 years in power, is "slowing down". He's just moved departments to Culture, Media and Sport - to which he was promoted as Secretary of State in the reshuffle. |
| 1143 But what will the subject be for his final session? Another issue splitting the parties - ID cards - is also back in the news. The Tories have written to firms bidding to run the controversial scheme warning them a Tory government would scrap it. Michael Gove says it is "quite wrong" for a government to try to tie a future government's hands on the issue. Ben Bradshaw, the culture secretary, says the Tories are being "arrogant" and points out ID cards were in Labour's 2005 manifesto | 1143 But what will the subject be for his final session? Another issue splitting the parties - ID cards - is also back in the news. The Tories have written to firms bidding to run the controversial scheme warning them a Tory government would scrap it. Michael Gove says it is "quite wrong" for a government to try to tie a future government's hands on the issue. Ben Bradshaw, the culture secretary, says the Tories are being "arrogant" and points out ID cards were in Labour's 2005 manifesto |
| 1141 Michael Martin is now settled in his usual Commons spot - Central Lobby was packed with visitors eager to get a view of his final pre-PMQs walk to the Commons chamber. | 1141 Michael Martin is now settled in his usual Commons spot - Central Lobby was packed with visitors eager to get a view of his final pre-PMQs walk to the Commons chamber. |
| 1138 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this week's prime minister's questions - a momentous session as it is the last PMQs Speaker Michael Martin will oversee. He is the first Speaker in modern times to have been effectively forced out of office - due to pressure over his handling of the MPs' expenses furore. Expect numerous tributes from MPs from all sides during PMQs even though most of the afternoon has been set aside for tributes to be paid. What else might come up? Unemployment figures are out, suggesting the UK total has hit a 12-year high - that seems a likely topic for opposition parties. Also David Cameron and Nick Clegg might challenge Gordon Brown's decision to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war behind closed doors. We'll be bringing you all the developments as they happen plus analysis from BBC correspondents and guests on BBC TV and radio - including Ben Bradshaw and Michael Gove on Daily Politics. | 1138 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this week's prime minister's questions - a momentous session as it is the last PMQs Speaker Michael Martin will oversee. He is the first Speaker in modern times to have been effectively forced out of office - due to pressure over his handling of the MPs' expenses furore. Expect numerous tributes from MPs from all sides during PMQs even though most of the afternoon has been set aside for tributes to be paid. What else might come up? Unemployment figures are out, suggesting the UK total has hit a 12-year high - that seems a likely topic for opposition parties. Also David Cameron and Nick Clegg might challenge Gordon Brown's decision to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war behind closed doors. We'll be bringing you all the developments as they happen plus analysis from BBC correspondents and guests on BBC TV and radio - including Ben Bradshaw and Michael Gove on Daily Politics. |